Keys to the game for La. Tech's opener at Oklahoma

Louisiana Tech is a heavy underdog for Saturday night's season opener at Oklahoma, which means the Bulldogs will need more than a few breaks to go their way in order to pull off a major upset.

Regardless of outcome, Tech needs to put in a good showing after a 4-8 year in 2013, especially with higher expectations and more pressure in Skip Holtz's second year in Ruston.

Here are three things Tech needs to focus on to keep things close.

1. Feed Kenneth Dixon early and often — Dixon is the Bulldogs' unquestioned workhorse and his talent is undeniable after he rumbled for 28 total touchdowns as a freshman. His production was capped in 2013 by various injuries and a woeful offensive line and passing game.

Holtz likes where the offensive line is at as a whole, but the inexperienced group faces a unique Oklahoma defense that mixes size up front with speed at linebacker and in the secondary.

As we saw last season, all Dixon needs is an inch of space and he's tough to bring down in the open field, but if Oklahoma races out to an early lead, Dixon's touches will drastically decrease and the pressure will transfer to Cody Sokol in his first career start.

2. Avoid the big plays — First-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has been torched by Oklahoma's offense in two previous meetings, and the Sooners' offense is of major concern Saturday.

Oklahoma has lost some of its weapons on offense, but quarterback Trevor Knight has plenty more to chose from. Knight made Alabama's defense look silly in the Sugar Bowl, and by all accounts, he's made a sizable leap as he enters his first year as the full-time starter.

Diaz will counter with an aggressive defense, one that includes blitzing. The Bulldogs need that type of defense to disrupt Knight and the Sooners' offense, but it'll also create more holes on the field.

Other than September's tilt at Auburn, Tech's secondary faces its toughest challenge of the season. Cornerbacks Le'Vander Liggins, Adairius Barnes and Bryson Abraham and safeties Xavier Woods, Kentrell Brice and Lloyd Grogan have their hands full.

3. Special teams — This aspect of the game is often overlooked. Diaz made a point to mention the special teams in Monday's press conference, and he has a point.

Holtz has liked what he's seen so far with Logan McPherson after he struggled last year with a 38.0 average on punts. The Bulldogs' philosophy in a game like this is to not force the issue, take a sack or throw it away if necessary and realize a punt isn't the end of the world.

However, if Tech is racking up the punts, that means the offense is likely sputtering. Regardless, special teams will play a role, including on punt and kickoff returns. The shifty Tevin King averaged 28.8 yards per kick return last season, but handled only five kickoffs due to injury. If King gets space, he could break one.